Fun facts: Betty Buckley did extensive research for the character of Grizabella. She based the character on the various homeless people she encountered in NYC and how they were not at all pathetic. They were filled with dignity and grace of only people looked deeper. She also won the Tony Award 5 minutes after this performance!
A little context: She's the old cat at the end of her life remembering how life used to be easier when she was younger and now close to her death, she just wants to be loved again because older cats are always left for younger kittens. It's really sad. That's why this song became a huge hit from the show.
They're missing the heartfelt performance and the way her voice sharply cuts through your soul which explains why it's so captivating I've listened to this more than a thousand times ❤ no one can top this performance
Elaine Paige was the orig Grizabella in the West End (London) in 1981. Betty Buckley originated the role in the 1982 Broadway (New York) production. Elaine's performance was emotional and iconic. But Betty Buckley's voice rendition was exceptional and incomparable, & that earned her the 1983 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance.
Musical theatre is a dying art form. Buckley's voice is amazing. Dig deeper. Judy Garland's performance of "The Man that Got Away", and Barbara Streisand "My Man", from Funny Girl.
Greetings guys. Just to answer some of the questions you have. The musical Cats is about a bunch of cats who come together for the annual Jellicle Ball. (They are a special kind of cat, known as Jellicles.) And at this ball, the cat known as Old Deuteronomy decides which cat makes the journey to the Heaviside Layer (undefined, but it appears to be a sort of "cat-Heaven" or a "cat-reincarnation"). Grizabella (which is this character's name, played by Betty Buckley, that you heard singing) was kicked out of the Jellicles years ago for unspecified sins. And since then, she has made an appearance at the annual Jellicle Ball every year: she wants back in. So far, it looks like it's not going to happen. They have a song about her earlier, "Grizabella the Glamor Cat," which is basically "Mean Girls" sniping at her. She was once glamorous but now very old. And this song you're hearing is her appeal to be let back in. When she says, "Touch me," she means it literally. One touch from one of the Jellicles means she's been accepted back in. Spoiler alert: She is let back in. Moreover, she's also chosen by Old Deuteronomy to go to the Heaviside Layer.
You guys are great, so cute lmao! Her character and the song is about how she used to be the beautiful glamor cat but life put her through the ringer and she's been rejected by the other cats. She says touch me because in the play the cats touch hands to show that they are loved and being accepted. Throughout the play shes treated as a gross outsider until this moment where she sings about being so vunerable. You can rent the play production cheap on youtube
she was like the best performer among the cats and they turned their back on her because she left with the "bag guy." He messed her up and kicked her to the side so now she's all alone.
I’m delighted that you reacted to the song. You proved to be pretty good detectives in deciphering what’s going on. Betty is playing Grizabella the former glamour cat. She slept with every cat on the block and her days and was quite a looker now She has aged and has lost her beauty and it’s completely shunned by the Can community. You are right she is abandoned is homeless. She is forced to walk in the cold streets alone every night looking for kindness. She sings this song out of desperation and so moved by her plight that the head cat Old Deuteronomy chooses her to end her life on earth and rise to Angelica land. In other words our version of heaven only for cats a life of eternal happiness and peace.
I am so glad to see this genuine effort by all three to understand and appreciate an original American art form and this astonishing number performed by a Broadway musical theater legend.
Grizabella used to belong to the cat “tribe” until she began spending nights in the seedy part of town with the brothels and loose women. She has been shunned by the group. The cat tribe gathers together once a year at the junkyard. Now an old cat, Grizabella comes hoping to gain their acceptance and even some love. She is chosen by the elderly cat leader Old Deuteronomy to be reincarnated. It’s very moving when he takes Grizabella skyward. She then walks up the stairs into the clouds.
Elaine Paige is the original performer of Grizabella and my favourite. I love the warmth in her voice and her acting. Grizabella is chosen by the elderly leader of the group to be reborn.
Increased volume in the sound system does not equate to great performance. You will see a huge difference if you watch Elaine Page's portrayal of Grizabella (considered by many to be the definitive version) There is also a wonderful video of Barbra Streisand singing Memory, without any theatrical enhancement. I would have loved to have seen her playing the part in a musical.
Oh, it was a great performance, and this was the abbreviated Show version, not like Elaine's. Along with Barbra, all three are elite performances and it's just a matter of personal preference after that. I find Betty's 'increased volume' to be quite unparalleled.
Naw, I love this version the best. It’s not the climax that I like the most but the uniqueness of her voice in the quieter parts. She also portrays a dignity that I think that this character should still have.
love Elaine but Betty is awesome too. I mean, she is so confident, she embraces the role of being Glamour Cat while the majority of singers who sing this song would usually portray the sadness of being expelled. So it's an interesting thing to see the character acting in a different way than how it is supposed to be
I think you should ask Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn, who in their opinion epitomised Grizabella as they originally intended. Their answer has always been Elaine Page.
I never get tired of hearing Betty Buckley sing this.
It seems that a missile is launched when opening " Touch me .. . ."
Fun facts: Betty Buckley did extensive research for the character of Grizabella. She based the character on the various homeless people she encountered in NYC and how they were not at all pathetic. They were filled with dignity and grace of only people looked deeper. She also won the Tony Award 5 minutes after this performance!
A little context: She's the old cat at the end of her life remembering how life used to be easier when she was younger and now close to her death, she just wants to be loved again because older cats are always left for younger kittens. It's really sad. That's why this song became a huge hit from the show.
Thank you!!
well acgtually she just wants to be accepted by the younger cats but they dont care about her. She used to be a diva cat but now shes like lonely
I’m so glad a new generation is paying respect to the best performance of Memories by Betty Buckley
They're missing the heartfelt performance and the way her voice sharply cuts through your soul which explains why it's so captivating I've listened to this more than a thousand times ❤ no one can top this performance
Elaine Paige was the orig Grizabella in the West End (London) in 1981.
Betty Buckley originated the role in the 1982 Broadway (New York) production.
Elaine's performance was emotional and iconic.
But Betty Buckley's voice rendition was exceptional and incomparable, & that earned her the 1983 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance.
Buckly and Ellen Paige are my two favorites on this song. Powerful.
I love her version the most. Such a powerful voice that just blows you away.
The talent that is Betty Buckley.
She's a real legend. You guys are great hope to see more.
Musical theatre is a dying art form.
Buckley's voice is amazing. Dig deeper. Judy Garland's performance of "The Man that Got Away", and Barbara Streisand "My Man", from Funny Girl.
Only one and that's Elaine Paige from the stage musical cats.
Well, you guys rock. And it looks like you got a shoutout from Betty on Twitter! Well done!
I love this video. You guys are fantastic. Betty's version is the epitome of effortless expression - thrilling.
Greetings guys. Just to answer some of the questions you have. The musical Cats is about a bunch of cats who come together for the annual Jellicle Ball. (They are a special kind of cat, known as Jellicles.) And at this ball, the cat known as Old Deuteronomy decides which cat makes the journey to the Heaviside Layer (undefined, but it appears to be a sort of "cat-Heaven" or a "cat-reincarnation"). Grizabella (which is this character's name, played by Betty Buckley, that you heard singing) was kicked out of the Jellicles years ago for unspecified sins. And since then, she has made an appearance at the annual Jellicle Ball every year: she wants back in. So far, it looks like it's not going to happen. They have a song about her earlier, "Grizabella the Glamor Cat," which is basically "Mean Girls" sniping at her. She was once glamorous but now very old.
And this song you're hearing is her appeal to be let back in. When she says, "Touch me," she means it literally. One touch from one of the Jellicles means she's been accepted back in.
Spoiler alert: She is let back in. Moreover, she's also chosen by Old Deuteronomy to go to the Heaviside Layer.
You guys are great, so cute lmao! Her character and the song is about how she used to be the beautiful glamor cat but life put her through the ringer and she's been rejected by the other cats. She says touch me because in the play the cats touch hands to show that they are loved and being accepted. Throughout the play shes treated as a gross outsider until this moment where she sings about being so vunerable.
You can rent the play production cheap on youtube
Thank you.
I never get tired of watching this reaction! ❤❤
I wish there were a miIIion reactions to this video, and I'd watch them aII -- she's over-the-top insanely good
Good for you guys for checking this out. The only reaction to this video I could find. Thanks for doing it.
she was like the best performer among the cats and they turned their back on her because she left with the "bag guy." He messed her up and kicked her to the side so now she's all alone.
Watch the version on betty Buckley and the cast is Cats at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and you will see how the actors really act like cats!
Get these boys to the theatre!!
I’m delighted that you reacted to the song. You proved to be pretty good detectives in deciphering what’s going on. Betty is playing Grizabella the former glamour cat. She slept with every cat on the block and her days and was quite a looker now She has aged and has lost her beauty and it’s completely shunned by the Can community. You are right she is abandoned is homeless. She is forced to walk in the cold streets alone every night looking for kindness. She sings this song out of desperation and so moved by her plight that the head cat Old Deuteronomy chooses her to end her life on earth and rise to Angelica land. In other words our version of heaven only for cats a life of eternal happiness and peace.
its all about getting old mates, comes to us all
I am so glad to see this genuine effort by all three to understand and appreciate an original American art form and this astonishing number performed by a Broadway musical theater legend.
Grizabella used to belong to the cat “tribe” until she began spending nights in the seedy part of town with the brothels and loose women. She has been shunned by the group. The cat tribe gathers together once a year at the junkyard. Now an old cat, Grizabella comes hoping to gain their acceptance and even some love. She is chosen by the elderly cat leader Old Deuteronomy to be reincarnated. It’s very moving when he takes Grizabella skyward. She then walks up the stairs into the clouds.
I like your reaction guys, very well thought out and intelligent conversation
The musical "Cats" was on Broadway for years
Betty Buckley set the benchmark.
I bought the musical from RUclips it's just such a good time.
The dancing is tight, the music is perfection - it's brilliant.
Grizabella the glamor cat felt loneliness due to being shuned by the other jelical cats. At the end of her life
She blew their hair back
They weren't ready for that power belt
Was waiting for it didnt disappoint
I’m in love with you guys!! No homo but damn u Nyc theater yo I respect y’all G’s
This was intelligent reviewing. Thank You!!
The narrative about cats and dogs though lol
The original cast was Ellen Page. Also worth watching
Thank You!!!
Elaine Page
@@nicoleann1519 I had a brain fart on that on lol. Thanks for correcting that.
Elaine Paige is the original performer of Grizabella and my favourite. I love the warmth in her voice and her acting. Grizabella is chosen by the elderly leader of the group to be reborn.
8 times a week, exactly my young bro😎
You can watch the movie on HBO
Increased volume in the sound system does not equate to great performance. You will see a huge difference if you watch Elaine Page's portrayal of Grizabella (considered by many to be the definitive version) There is also a wonderful video of Barbra Streisand singing Memory, without any theatrical enhancement. I would have loved to have seen her playing the part in a musical.
Oh, it was a great performance, and this was the abbreviated Show version, not like Elaine's. Along with Barbra, all three are elite performances and it's just a matter of personal preference after that. I find Betty's 'increased volume' to be quite unparalleled.
@@MoMoMyPup10 - Fair enough, as you say a matter of personal preference perhaps. Cheers for the comment.
Betty's is the only one that makes me ugly cry.
Naw, I love this version the best. It’s not the climax that I like the most but the uniqueness of her voice in the quieter parts. She also portrays a dignity that I think that this character should still have.
No there's only one person and that's Elaine Paige. Listen to her when she's on the stage in the stage you can't beat her
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ i agree
love Elaine but Betty is awesome too. I mean, she is so confident, she embraces the role of being Glamour Cat while the majority of singers who sing this song would usually portray the sadness of being expelled. So it's an interesting thing to see the character acting in a different way than how it is supposed to be
I think you should ask Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn, who in their opinion epitomised Grizabella as they originally intended. Their answer has always been Elaine Page.
@blbuckley @bettybuckley ! Treasure! Thank you so much Betty Buckley! ♥️Xxxooo